Obituary of Denise Ann Nance

Denise “Denny” Ann Nance, age 64 of Pensacola, formally of Wilmington, DE, passed away at her family home on Saturday, July 21, 2018. She was born to the late William H. Taylor, Jr. and Janice S. Taylor on January 1, 1954. Denise lived a life full of dreams and hope for a better tomorrow. From her early days of being a surrogate caregiver for her younger siblings, she loved babies and children and always knew that one day she would be a teacher. Her innate ability to empathize with young children, talk with them at their level, and understand what was going on in their minds made her a very popular pre-school teacher. She celebrated their triumphs as if they had conquered Mt Everest, and she picked them up and dusted them off after every set-back and pushed them to try again. She applied these same talents when she and Sam, her beloved husband of 30 years, were blessed with two children of their own, Kyle and Kimberly. She showered her children with every ounce of love they could possibly absorb, reluctantly sharing them with their aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, from time to time, but always quick to reclaim them. Being their mother was the greatest joy and the greatest challenge of her life. Denise also enjoyed traveling, especially to visit relatives. She loved the beach and its endless sunshine and changing beauty. She embraced the color purple (although she refused to share it with anyone, even her daughter). She was a tenacious tennis player and never passed up an ice- cream cone. She was sometimes known as “Calamity Jane” due to various mishaps that always seemed to find her but never deterred her for long. She was a friend to any dog who was lucky enough to enter her world. And she was a dear, sweet daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend who loved fiercely but also never hesitated to dish out the tough love when it was called for. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Denny is survived by her husband John (“Sam”); children Kimberly Bray and husband Luke of Pensacola FL, and Kyle Nance of Pensacola FL; sisters Patti Bruner and husband Jim of Knoxville TN, and Lyn Taylor of Asheville NC; brothers Rick Taylor and wife Gloria of Hilton Head Island SC, Mike Taylor and wife Sandy of Brandon FL, Jeff Taylor and wife Elizabeth of Richmond VA, and Mark Taylor and wife Robyn of Marietta GA; and a host of other loving nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and other relatives and close friends. A service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 1:30PM at The Point Church of Pensacola, 138011 Innerarity Point Road, Pensacola, FL 32507. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to the charity of your choice, particularly any whose mission is to support children or animals